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twenty-fourth 

annualheport of the 

superintendent of 

S&OOLS 1921-1922 



CONSTRUCTION AND 

'miNTENANCE"'' 



BOARD OF EDUCATION 

THE CITY OF NEW YORK ^ '^ 



■^-^■--^ 



Twenty-fourth 
Annual Report 

of the 

Superintendent of Schools 



1921-1922 



REPORT ON 
CONSTRUCTION 

and 
MAINTENANCE 



PRESENTED TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION 
OCTOBER 25, 1922 




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\^'Xl^'^ BOARD OF EDUCATION 
THE CITY OF NEW YORK 



GEORGE J. RYAN, President 
HARRY B. CHAMBERS, Vice-President 

Borough of Manhattan 
MRS. EMMA L. MURRAY M. SAMUEL STERN 

Borough of Brooklyn 
DR. JOHN A. FERGUSON ARTHUR S. SOMERS 

Borough of The Bronx 
HARRY B. CHAMBERS 

Borough of Queens 
GEORGE J. RYAN 

Borough of Richmond 
JOHN E. BOWE 



WILLIAM L. ETTINGER 
Superintendent of Schools 



C. B. J. SNYDER 

Superintendent of School Buildings 



5 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 



PAGE 

iNTRODTJCfriON 7 

Bureau of Construction and Maintenance 13 

Means adopted by the Board of Education to provide for the 

construction and maintenance of buildings and property 13 

Plan of Organization 13 

Assignment of employees •. 14 

Appropriation for maintenance 14 

Work being performed 16 

Replacement, pupils' toilets 16 

Removal of transom windows 17 

Need for repairs due to intensive use 18 

Contracts awarded 1921 18 

New building contracts let, 1914-1922 19 

Basis for 1922 computation 19 

Planning of a School Building 22 

Unit of requirement, classrooms 26 

Number of units in buildings 26 

Advantages of! standardization » 27 

Ttpe of Plans to Meet Unusual Conditions 27 

H type 27 

Annex 72, Manhattan 29 

Manhattan Trade School 32 

School for Deaf ■ . 34 

New York Training School for Teachers 44 

Standard Types of Plans _ 49 

Type A, 2000-pupil capacity 50 

Enlarged to 3000-pupil capacity 55 

New type U, same capacity 56 

Schedule of comparison 61 

Summary of advantages 62 

High Schools 62 

Small type 63 

Thomas Jefferson High School, Brooklyn 64 

Community use 65 

Gymnasiums and swimming pools 68 

Schedule of accommodations 72 

Contract cost 72 

Julia Richman High, Manhattan 73 

Gymnasium Building 74 

New Utrecht High, Brooklyn 75 

George Washington High, Manhattan 75 

Girl's Commercial High, Brooklyn 79 

Special Activities 80 



Procedtxre in the Preparation in the School Building Budget, 

Letting of Contracts, Suggestions 85 

School sites as a part of the city plan 95 

Abandoned school sites to be retained for playgrounds 96 

Survey of requirements by Board of Education 97 

Delay in approval of plans 97 

Draughtsman variation in terms of employment 97 

New building, hall of the Board 94 

Fire prevention work 91 

Heating and ventilation 92 

Artificial illumination 89 



FOREWORD 

August 1, 1922. 
TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION 
Ladies and Gentlemen : 

I beg leave to submit the report made by Mr. C. B. J. Snyder, 
Superintendent of the Bureau of Construction and Maintenan;:e. 

I believe that the report will be of interest not only to the 
members of the Board of Education, but also to the general pub- 
lic, inasmuch as it reviews the work of a bureau that is charged 
with the task of providing on an unprecedented scale, school 
accommodations for our ever-increasing army of children. The 
magnitude as well as the technical character of the work so 
admirably conducted by Superintendent Snyder is set forth in 
detail in order that all interested in this phase of education serv- 
ice may have a clear understanding of the manner in which the 
Board of Education and its professional staff have attempted to 
discharge their obligations. 

The conditions that have operated to produce the present 
congestion in our schools are well known. The assumption by 
the preceding political administration that because of tl^e adop- 
tion of a double-session type of school organization, the problem 
of greatest urgency was the reconstruction of existing build- 
ings rather than the erection of new ones in rapidly growing 
areas ; the ban placed upon labor and material by the War Pri- 
ority Board during the war; the scarcity of labor and of material 
which practically brought building generally to a standstill dur- 
ing the period of readjustment following the close of the war; 
and finally, the high cost of building, due to corrupt capital and 
labor combinations revealed by the Lockwood Committee, made 
it impossible for the Board of Education to make any great 
headway. 

Fortunately, these obstacles have been removed. The com- 
plementary reports of Superintendent Snyder, which is sub- 
mitted herewith, and of Associate Superintendent Shallow, on 
New School Buildings and Sites, which is printed separately, 
will give the reader a picture of the comprehensive building pro- 
gram that is being so generously financed by the present city 



administration and so ably carried on by the present Board of 
Education under the general supervision of Commissioner Dr. 
John A. Ferguson, Chairman of the Committee on Buildings and 
Sites, a worthy successor to former Commissioner Frank D. 
Wilsey, whose service in a similar capacity set a high standard 
of excellence. 

There has been much criticism of the long time required 
to plan and erect school buildings. In the accompanying re- 
port Superintendent Snyder sets forth the procedure that must 
be followed by the Board of Education in requesting funds, in 
making plans, in letting contracts, and various related matters. 
For example, you will find listed fifty distinctly marked steps 
that must be taken before the contractor is finally notified to 
begin work on a new building. Superintendent Snyder points 
out that while the procedure is involved it is not without merit. 
Four important points should be noted in connection with the 
present method : ( 1 ) that publicity and opportunity for consider- 
ation are assured at every point in the entire proceedings ; (2) 
that each step is required either by statute or ordinance or is 
the result of years of experience in the transaction of public 
business and thus has become a fixed practice; (3) that accur- 
acy is absolutely essential at all points, since an error at any 
stage would have serious results ; (4) that the award of con- 
tracts must be made to the lowest financially responsible bidder. 

Nevertheless, it is generally conceded that there is too much 
red tape involved in the present method and it is imperative in 
the interests of efficient business adminsiration that the Legis- 
lature modify present Charter requirements and clothe the 
Board of Education with full power to construct buildings, upon 
the due certification of its Superintendent of Buildings that all 
code provisions have been met, without incurring the delay that 
is incident to present practice in accordance with which the 
approval of the city departments is involved. Note especially 
the anomalous condition with reference to the lighting of school 
buildings. Despite the earnest cooperation of all parties con- 
cerned, the division of authority to which Superintendent Snyder 
refers and upon which I commented a year ago, has resulted in 



9 

a failure to provide our schools with the artificial light needed. 
The work of our evening schools and also our regular day- 
schools suffers much from inadequate lighting. The conclusion 
is inevitable that no agency other than the Department of Edu- 
cation can insure the satisfactory installation, repair, and main- 
tenance of lighting facilities. Full control of this very important 
matter ought to be vested in this Department. 

In an earnest effort to speed the erection of buildings, the 
Board of Superintendents has co-operated with Superintendent 
Snyder in working out a standard type of classroom unit and 
equipment. The result has been not only the installation of a 
high type of classroom unit and equipment, but also a great re- 
duction in the time and the cost of getting out plans. 

The merits of the various types of school buildings designed 
by Superintendent Snyder and adopted generally throughout 
the country are set forth at some length. Superintendent 
Snyder is convinced that the new "U" type of building planned 
to accommodate 56 or 69 classrooms respectively, has , merits 
that entitle it to rank as a marked advance in school planning. 
The work of eliminating fire hazards is being carried on with 
commendable diligence. Reports are constantly received from 
the Bureau of Fire Prevention as to results of inspections. With 
reference to each school visited reports are made as to changes 
necessary to prevent the outbreak and spread of fire, and to 
facilitate egress in case of fire or panic. Such reports are re- 
ferred to the Superintendent of the Bureau of Construction 
and Maintenance, and to the Superintendent of the Bureau of 
Plant Operation, for immediate action or budgetar}^ request. 
If one were to judge of the safety of our schools by the total 
number of the reported violations, one would be filled with fears 
that are entirely unwarranted. The great majority of such vio- 
lations refer to minor matters, such as exit signs and lights, 
metal shields for radiators, installation of wire screens around 
gas jets, installation of fireproof cases for raffia and paints, in- 
stallation of self-closing metal covered doors, all of which are 
important and deserve immediate consideration. The removal 
of these violations cannot be accomplished overnight, even at the 



10 



urgent behest of the Bureau of Fire Prevention. The ultimate 
eHmination of such violations will result only from financial 
ability and careful planning, extending over a period of years. 
But meanwhile, should any school be shown to be a menace to 
the health or the safety of our children, the public may rest 
assured that the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of 
Education will close the school forthwith. 

But the existence of such violations does not prove that our 
schools are fire-traps. Indeed, these adverse reports are indi- 
cative of the vigilance which we exercise in safeguarding our 
children. The real danger arises not from such minor viola- 
tions in fireproof school buildings in which the resident children 
are thoroughly familiar with exit facilities and physical condi- 
tions generally, but in the older structures inherited from past 
generations which force of circumstaces compels us to occupy. 
lu such ancient buildings every effort has been made by the in- 
stallation of fire-escapes, and above all by the vigilance of the 
principal, the teachers, and the custodian, to insure the safety of 
the children. When one considers that the average parent has 
no choice as to what public school his children shall attend, it is 
incumbent upon school and city authorities to spend every dollar 
necessary not only to insure reasonable safety, but, indeed, the 
absolute safety of every child. 

I am in hearty agreement with Superintendent Snyder's re- 
marks and recommendations concerning the selection of school 
sites. As I have stated in the foreword tO' Associate Superin- 
tendent Shallow's report : 

"Our enoTmous population which, when immigration is unre- 
stricted, literally spills over adjacent territory in every possible 
direction, tends to seek areas which are attractive because of the low 
cost of housing, the cost and the character of transportation, and 
the proximity of such areas to places of employment. Such shift- 
ing of population, which means that some sections of the city have 
partially vacant school buildings while others are suffering from 
excessive congestion, because of the lack of such buildings, demands 
not only that our future building program be developed on a com- 
prehensive scale, but also in terms of the best possible forecast as 
to the future growth of our city." 



11 

At the present writing, the upper floors of the Hall of the 
Board of Education are being rebuilt to offset the damage 
caused by the fire of four years ago. Although the renovation 
will cost approximately one-quarter million dollars, the addi- 
tional accommodations supplied will be negligible. Many of our 
bureaus and administrative heads must still be housed in quar- 
ters remote from the central administration building. As Super- 
intendent Snyder's report indicates, even at the time of the erec- 
tion of the building which was intended to accommodate the 
administrative offices of the School Board for the Boroughs of 
Manhattan and The Bronx, it was recognized that the facili- 
ties provided would be inadequate to house the administrative 
staff after the consolidation of the five boroughs. The situa- 
tion has become worse year by year and the need of additional 
accommodations is most urgent. The suggestion made that 
possibly the Board of Education might secure some unused por- 
tion of the courthouse site is an excellent one, and deserves im- 
mediate consideration. My recommendation that the site at 
present occupied by Public School 18, on 51st street, between 
Lexington and Park avenues, be used, is an alternative one that 
I respectfully present. The present school could be closed 
without detriment to the children at present occupying it. The 
location of the site is central and the adjacent property is de- 
voted to structures of beauty and permanence. I strongly rec- 
ommend that you give serious consideration to securing an ap- 
propriate site and to the erection thereon of an administration 
building that will not only serve properly to house the staff of 
the Department, but will also serve as a splendid monument to 
the foresight and business efficiency of the Board of Education 
responsible for its planning and completion. 

In conclusion, I am sure I express your sentiments as well 
as my own when I state I was more than delighted that Super- 
intendent Snyder was finally persuaded to withdraw his appli- 
cation for retirement. His long service has been characterized 
by a devotion to duty and an ever increasing technical skill that 
have made his work a blessing to our children and a credit to 
our community. I trust that through the enlargement of his 



12 

professional staff he will be relieved in large part of the tre- 
mendous burden he has borne so manfully, so that for many 
years to come the system will have the benefit of his mature 
judgment and his artistic skill. 

Respectfully submitted, 

WILLIAM L. ETTINGER, 

Superintendent of Schools. 



July 8, 1922. 

DR. WILLIAM L. ETTINGER 

Superintendent of Schools 

Dear Dr. Ettinger: 

I beg leave to submit the following report on the organization 
and work of this bureau in connection with the preparation of 
plans and specifications for the construction, equipment and 
maintenance of new school buildings, together with comments 
and suggestions on various related matters as requested by you. 

Very truly yours, 

C. B. J. SNYDER, 

Superintendent of School Buildings. 



13 

BUREAU OF CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE 

Means Adopted by the Board of Education to Provide for 

THE Construction and Maintenance of Buildings 

and Property. 

Organization of Bureau. — In order to make proper pro- 
vision for the planning, construction and equipment of the new- 
school buildings, and also the safety and repair of school prop- 
erty after it is put into use, the Board of Education, through the 
Superintendent of Schools as Chief Executive of. the Board, 
provided for and developed a Bureau second to none in its plan 
of organization and in the technical skill and accomplishments 
of its personnel. 

The Bureau has as its head a Superintendent of School 
Buildings who, together with his six Deputy Superintendents, 
are all Registered Architects. 

The plan of organization consists of a main business office 
which includes the main drafting rooms, and five borough 
branch offices. 

To each office one Deputy Superintendent of School Build- 
ings is assigned. 

Plans and specifications for practically all the new buildings 
and their equipment are prepared in the main office, in which 
there are separate sections for Sanitary, Heating and Ventilat- 
ing, Electric and Furniture work, each with a chief in charge. 

Thus, each branch is placed under the immediate direction 
of an expert. 

After the contracts for the construction and equipment for all 
new buildings and additions have been prepared by the main 
office and the bids opened by the Superintendent of School 
Buildings, award made by the Board of Education, sureties ap- 
proved and contracts duly executed, the immediate responsibility 
for carrying forward of the work, rests upon the Deputy Super- 
intendent of the Borough in which it is located, acting in con- 
junction with the main office. 

The Deputy Superintendents are also charged wdth the 
preparation of plans and specifications for such new construction 
work as may be assigned to them by the Superintendent, as well 



14 



as for all maintenance — except that of heating repairs — and the 
supervision of the performance of the work together with that 
of certain mechanics who are employed. 

The following schedule shows quite clearly the present make- 
up of the force of the Bureau together with its apportionment to 
the various offices or divisions. In numbers the Bureau is 
larger than ever before, due to the carrying out of the vast 
school building program now under way. 

EMPLOYEES 

BUREAU OP CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE 



Offlce or Division 
Main Officb. 

Gen. Drafting 

Sanitary 

Heating 

Electric 

Borough of Manhattan. 

Sanitary 

Electric 

Furniture 

Repairs 

Borough of the Bronx. 



Borough of Brooklyn. 



Borough of Queens. 



Borough op Richmond. 



Adminis- 
tration Di-afting 



Inspection Mechanical Total 



35 
14 



3 (NewBldgs.) 
(AH Boros. 3 



3 (NewBldgs.) 2 

4 6 
3 6 
3 11 

7 2 



19 ( 9 New Bldgs.) 
(10 Repair ) 



27 (10 New Bldgs.) 27 
(17 Repair ) 

13 (4 New Bldgs.) 6 

(9 Repair ) 



24 

153 

2 

40 

17 



20 
10 



33 

73 
31 





3 


1 


7 (2 NewBldgs.) 
(5 Repair ) 


■-• 


11 


Total 


61 


225 


92 


67 


445 









Maintenance of Buildings and Equipment. — The main- 
tenance of the buildings and premises used for school purposes 
is a very great task in itself, more especially just now when there 
is so much work being put forward to remedy the condit'ons 
brought about through inadequate appropriations for years past. 
Moreover, not only must worn-out equipment be replaced, but 
there must be repaired the millions of dollars of damage done 
through freezing and chilling of the buildings and equipment 



15 



due to the severe weather conditions of the winter of 1917-1918, 
when the coal famine made it necessary at one time to close 
more than half of the school buildings in the Borough of 
Brooklyn. 

The following graph illustrates the fact that appropriations 
from 1907 up to 1919 did not bear any relation to the accumu- 
lated cost of buildings and equipment as it should have done. 































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Fig. 1. 

THIS GEAPH SHOWS THE GREAT DISCREPANCY BETWEEN WHAT REAL ESTATE MEN 
CONSIDER A REASONABLE EXPENDITURE FOR MAINTENANCE OF REAL ESTATE (2% OF 
ACCUMULATED COSt) AND THE ALLOWANCES MADE BY THE BOARD OF ESTIMATE AND 
APPORTIONMENT FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS- IT ALSO SHOWS 
THE PURCHASING VALUE OF THE ALLOWANCE, USING 1914 AS 100%, DUE TO THE 
INCREASED COST OF MATERIAL AND LABOR. 

THE PURCHASING) POWER OF THH DOLLAR ACCORDING TO THE U. S. BUEEAU OF 
LABOR STATISTICS AND THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE BOARD IS : 

1914—1.00 1918— .51 

1915— .98 1919— .51 

1916— .80 1920— .45 

1917— .57 1921— .61 



16 

This discrepancy was first recognized in 1920, when a large 
appropriation was made. However, because of the shrinkage 
in the purchasing power of the dollar, due to after war condi- 
tions, the volume of actual work which could be purchased with 
the appropriations was very small indeed. 

The graph shows the improvement which took place in this 
respect during 1921, and again during the present year. 

The poor state of disrepair into which the buildings have 
fallen because of inadequate appropriations is illustrated by 
some items of the work more recently taken up in the Borough 
of Manhattan as given by the Deputy Superintendent in charge. 

In 1921 there were 56 stairways renovated; 86 pupils' toilet 
enclosures and fixtures overhauled, renovated and painted ; 38 
buildings upon which new roofs were placed; 1,670 classrooms 
cleaned, painted and varnished; as well as 20,436 windows re- 
paired and painted. 

During the present year the repair, painting and renovation 
will include 65 stairways ; 44 pupils' toilets ; 4,287 classrooms ; 
6,804 windows ; 5 new buildings and equipment for pupils' toi- 
lets ; remodeling of 22 pupils' toilets ; 10 new water-supply in- 
stallations ; 3,100 drinking fountain guards, and 18 additions 
to present electric lighting systems. Even this extensive list 
will be increased before the close of the year. 

Similar work is progressing in each of the other boroughs, 
but it will be several years before all of the buildings can possibly 
be brought up to the proper standards of repair and sanitation. 

The present condition of pupils' toilets in old buildings is one 
of the things which has aroused considerable discussion. 

The standard by which these old fixtures are judged today is 
that which has been developed and used in both public and pri- 
vate work during the last few years. The best present practice 
demands large open spaces, with an abundance of natural light, 
aided by white tile or enameled brick walls and white tile floors ; 
watercloset fixtures even for the kindergarten toilet of white 
porcelain, urinals for the boys' toilets of the same material, but 



17 

of the low-down type so that the floors may be drained into the 
receptor at the base. 

The adoption of this type of installation in the new school 
buildings has resulted in an insistent demand that it be quickly 
extended to all of the older schools to replace the present toilet 
ranges and urinals which are objectionable, although they repre- 
sented the best of practice at the time of installation. 

Their removal and replacement with modern equipment 
should be undertaken systematically, to the end that the pres- 
ent obsolete fixtures should be replaced within a given number 
of years. 

A similar plan should be followed in the removal of all 
transom bars and sash in exterior windows giving light to rooms 
used for purposes of instruction. 

Experiments have been carried out in. various buildings, 
which prove most conclusively that such removals may be done 
without any great expense. It is only necessar}^ to remove the 
upper sash and transom, make some slight repairs to the window 
frames and trim, then to install a new upper sash of a size to 
include the space formerly occupied by the transom bar and 
transom, and hang on heavy pulleys with the required counter- 
weights. 

The result of such change is amazing in its increase of 
natural daylight. Rooms originally poorly illuminated at once 
become light and cheerful. 

There are three bad features usually inherent in transoms for 
school rooms : they are difficult to reach and are therefore left 
dirty; they are difficult to shade, so the shade material or paper 
is tacked or pasted on ; they are difficult to keep in good working 
order, with the result that they are usually kept securely closed, 
so that ventilation by such means is impossible. 

Venetian blinds are equally objectionable, and should likewise 
be "entirely removed from our schools. 

There is also some other work which should be taken up year 
by year until replacement is complete, but these are the two 
items of primary importance. 



18 

Some have argued that within a year or so all of the schools 
could be brought up to a proper state of repair, with the result 
that there would be no need for large annual appropriations. 

Such a conception is wholly erroneous, for with the ever- 
growing intensive use of the buildings — day and night through 
the entire year, and by numbers 50^ greater than originally 
planned for it should be perfectly clear that there must be a 
corresponding increase in the wear and tear of both buildings 
and equipment. 

In other words, if a new floor will last a given number of 
years under normal use of a single session day school, then its 
period of service will be only one-half that of normal if the 
school be used for double session and evening school, or if in 
any other way the service be doubled. 

There may possibly be some portion of the building which 
would not be subject more or less to this same rule, but the only 
part that at the moment would seem to be exempt is the roof, 
when not used for playground purposes. 

The total of the repair budget would now be truly appalling 
had there been an adherence all of these years to the older type 
of construction, such as wood floor and roof beams and girders, 
with wood lath and stud partitions. 

Fortunately, quite a large percentage of the buildings are 
now of an entirely different form of construction, steel and 
terra cotta or concrete having replaced the wood formerly used, 
The school buildings erected during the last three years are prac- 
tically reinforced concrete throughout, a form of construction 
which should be continued as an alternate with steel, leaving 
market conditions to decide which shall be actually used. 

Volume of Work. — An index of the large volume of work 
which for instance was handled by the Bureau during 1921 may 
be taken from the number of contracts for which plans and 
specifications were prepared, advertised and contracts awarded 
by the Board. 



19 



CORPORATE STOCK 

Number of 

Contracts Amount 

General Construction 22 $7,406,918.00 

Sanitary 27 698,396.00 

Heating and Ventilating 5 276,239.00 

Temperature Regulation 4 30,397.00 

Electric 24 409,382.00 

Furniture 159 634,011.32 

Fire Protection 2 5,990.00 



Total, 243 19,461,333.32 

MAINTENANCE— Payable from Tax Levy or 
Revenue Bond Funds. 

Alterations 439 $1,307,708.85 

Sanitary 117 270,005.00 

Heating 11 79,689.00 

Electric 67 211,681.75 

Furniture 53 241,967.03 

Glass 4 22,514.00 



Total, *691 $2,133,565.63 

*NOTE: This represents the number of contracts actually approved 
md executed during the year 1921, but as a matter of fact there were 780 
operations on which bids were opened and contracts awarded by the Board 
of Education before December 31, 1921, contracts for the other 89 awards 
not having been finally approved and executed until the early part of 
1922. 

In addition to the above, awards were made on non-advertised work 
for which competitive bids had been received, on which the estimated 
cost was less than $1,000, as follows: 

5,008 wards averaging 227.14 each. 

There were also 7,459 awards for emergency work, those items which 
had to be done on non-competitive orders ,averaging $42.87 each. 

This number, large as it is, will be greatly exceeded during the present 
year. 

As a partial answer to the question which is frequently asked 
as to why there are a less number of school buildings than are 
required to meet the demand, the following graph will illustrate 
that from 1907 to 1918 there was an apparent lack of a fixed 
policy in the building of schools so as to at least keep up with 
the needs of the school population. 



20 



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DuntAU Of Co/\5TWCTior\ AnD r^Ai^Ttr\M9t 





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Fig. 2. 

THIS GRAPH INDICATES THE PROGRESS MADE IN LETTING CONTRACTS FOR NEW 
BUILDINGS AND ADDITIONS TO EXISTING BUILDINGS; PROVIDING ADDITIONAL SCHOOL 
ACCOMMODATIONS IN 1907 TO THAT WHICH IS ANTICIPATED FOR 1922. 

B indicates — New Buildings. 
A " — Additions. 

P " — Portable Buildings, which, however, are not included in 
totals. 
1922 includes — Award of contracts, 7 New Bldgs., ] Addition 

Advertised at this date, 2 " " 

Ready to advertise, 4 " " 

Plans and specifications 

complete, 14 " " 3 Additions 

Total, 27 4 

This number will be largely increased by the work to be prepared during 
the latter part of the year. 



21 

War conditions brought operations to the lowest point in 

1918, and made it impossible to make a start until 1919. 

Good progress was then made despite adverse labor con- 
ditions and a rising material and labor market, but the combined 
influence of the two finally brought the letting of contracts to a 
practical stop in 1920. 

A gradual improvement in conditions in 1921 allowed this 
work to again proceed, so that the number of new buildings 
and additions put under contract rose to the point reached in 

1919, although the output would have been greater for either 
of these years had there been quarters available in which an 
increased number of draughtsmen could have been placed. 

■ The accuracy of this statement is shown by that which is 
being accomplished during the present year. As a result of the 
purchase of a large new loft building in Brooklyn we moved out 
of our cramped, unsanitary rooms on December 31st, to the tem- 
porary occupation of one of the unfinished floors in the new 
building. The necessary partition and sanitary work for the 
draughting rooms and offices were put in place on the two upper 
floors somewhat later. With the improvement in space new men 
were added to the force, and as all worked under improved con- 
ditions even in the unfinished floor, the result has been most 
gratifying. 

The output for 1922 cannot of course be included in the graph 
as final until the close of the year, some six months away, but in 
order to indicate what has been accomplished the 1922 column 
is covered by a dotted line, based upon the following: 

CONTRACTS LET: N. B. 67 Bk., 102 Qns., 54 Qns, 72 Qns., T.J. 

H. H., Bk., 135 Bk., 188 Bk., 80 Man 8 

Also portable or temporary buildings as follows: P. S. 5 and 
68, The Bronx; 99 and 105, Bk.; 42, 103 and 104, Queens; 
and 30 and 36, Richmond 9 

NOW ADVERTISED : N. B. 19 Qns, 69 Qns 2 

READY TO ADVERTISE: Add. 57 Man., Add. 130 Man., N. B. 139 

Man., N. B. 189 Bk 4 



22 

READY FOR ADVER. WITHIN 30 DAYS: Add. 12 Man., N. B., 

J. R. H. S., Man., N. B. 63 Bx., N. B. 65 Bx., N. B. 69 Bx., N. B. 
161 5k., N. B. 192 Bk., Add. 16 Bk., N. B. N. U. H. S., Bk., 
N. B. 70 Qns., New Bldgs. (2) for Parental School, Qns., Add. 

Curtis H. S., Rich., 64 Bx., 193 Bk., 190 Bk., 121 Man 17 

Also 9 temporary buildings at various locations 9 

Total 49 

Plans for the following jobs are in various stages of prepa- 
ration or are not yet started, but they constitute only a part of the 
work which can be turned out by the Bureau during the re- 
mainder of the year: 

PLANS UNDER WAY: P. S. 56 and George Washington H. S.. Man- 
hattan; P. S. 66 and 67, The Bronx; P. S. 6 Addition. Brooklyn; 
Richmond Hill H. S., Queens. 

PLANS NOT YET STARTED : P. S. 60, School for the Deaf and New 
York Training School for Teachers, Manliattan; Addition to P. 
S. 6. Addition to P. S. 33 and new P. S. 70, The Bronx; New 
building near P. S. 63, new P. S. 117, Addition to P. S. 142 and 
Addition to Erasmus Hall H. S., Brooklyn. 

PLANNING OF A SCHOOL BUILDING 

The efficient planning of a school building, in common with 
all other structures, demands that the purpose of use and occu- 
pation should be clearly understood. 

Therefore, the Board of Superintendents after a careful sur- 
vey of the needs of any particular neighborhood recommends 
to the Board of Education a plan of organization for the pro- 
posed school in which is given the grades and special activities' 
together with a statement as to the number of boys or girls, or 
both, to be accommodated. 

Recommendations are also made as to the provision that 
must be made for any special facilities, as for instance, roof 
playgrounds, swimming pools, or other essential matters. 

In order to obtain a uniformity of treatment and economize 
in time and energy, a prolonged study of proposed new buildings 
and equipment was made by the present Board of Education 
sitting as a Committee of the Whole, the Board of Superintend- 



23 

ents and the Superintendent of School Buildings, with the result 
that an agreement was reached early in 1918 as to certain require- 
ments which were termed standards. 

The unit of requirement taken was that of a single classroom. 

This was worked out in accordance with the seating ar- 
rangements. In other words, the room was planned around 
the desks and seats. Space was then provided for a wardrobe, 
a book closet, a closet for library books, and a teacher's locker. 
A special cabinet was placed beneath the blackboard chalk rail 
at the outer front corner of the room and designed for the re- 
ception of chalk, erasers, rulers, pencils, etc., so as to keep them 
separate from the books, and under the immediate eye of the 
teacher. 

A shelf for plants, supported upon strong iron brackets, was 
placed in front of the window between the radiators. 

Each room therefore required a space 28 ft. in length by 24 
ft. in width, with the wardrobe placed on the inner or corridor 
side. 



24 



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U— Ho ^— OiL' rto- 3'* — CL— rto2r^ 



gMMt.'i^l'' I K . ntf . ') 



~Jc»BwlB- OF J\ztS-of hyiS'[ht>\Mr 

v/l-X B - UuijKJP^OCJK HlKjrr Of Jf AJ. 

Ho 6 22 M ii y 

• 5 23 , a " 

• 4 ;J4 •' "3 " 
■ 3 26 ■• W - 

• 2 28 •' 15 - 




i— No. 6 *j..— -Wo .5 -£ — 4 

te« n,cf D hM 

PK».«>— pi- ia-s JOti(a4H^ 

^ 2 < 

nS-u -55- ^tl n::; 



noJ> CJ.-^T<0* ri p.L- 



--./caLe oi4c.EiCjMTHlrtCH-E^AL/-oiJe- fooj ~ 

Fig. a-CLASSROOM SITTINGS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 



25 



^wiit. 25T-' i^ie. 



- C LA J/LODM ' FITTING/ - 







IRA^ I 






J<o.5 


26li4 


I+IH 


• 2 


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-1 


30 " 


16 - 




1 T^'Ef"&"ff'nti\i3 
.eUp.4[] n n n © 



-^fALe- oiJeeiciHTM lr<CM EavALi opJEr"dc>j — 



HtV */i^lil I- B CCnTCK 



Fig. 4— CLASSROOM SITTINGS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 



26 



It was then ascertained through similar planning that cer- 
tain activities could be well accommodated in the area repre- 
sented by one and one-half classroom units, others in two class- 
room units. 

These classroom units were then worked into floor plans 
designed to provide for schools varying in size to meet the re- 
quirements. 

It was found, for instance, that it would be economical in 
floor space and arrangement to plan buildings with 12, 16, 26, 
36 or 48 classroom units with auditoriums and playgrounds. 

This plan was a guide to the Board of Superintendents in 
laying out their organizations. Flexibility in the placing of 
special activities requiring more than one classroom unit was 
insured through a complete revision of the heating and ventila- 
tion systems, in accordance with which the heat and vent flues 
are placed in the space over the corridor ceilings instead of be- 
tween the classrooms as had been, and is now the almost uni- 
versal practice elsewhere. Moreover, this innovation not only 
gives a distinct gain in floor space and in cost of construction, 
but this arrangement is of special value as providing means 
whereby alterations in the size of rooms may be easily, quickly 
and cheaply made to meet any changes in school organization. 

The convenience of the Superintendents, both as individuals 
and as a Board, has been very successfully served by the pro- 
duction of the plans on a small scale, showing clearly the class- 
room units available in each type of building but without con- 
struction features. This device enables them, through a use of 
the standards which have been adopted as to requirements for 
each activity to more readily plan any organization desired. 

The purpose, therefore, in fixing a standard classroom unit 
and of several types of buildings known as A-48, B-36, C-26, 
etc., was not to make a plan of each type from which there 
would be no deviation, but rather to facilitate such deviation in 
organization as might seem wise. 

The resultant economy in time and energy so far as the 
Superintendents are concerned has been very great, and this in 
turn has been reflected even to a greater degree in costs and in 



27 

the shortening of the period of time required to produce a set 
of plans for a building. 

A set of plans complete requires from 150 to 220 separate 
sheets of drawings. Standardization as thus applied has made it 
possible to reproduce many plans by a lithographic process, on 
tracing cloth, using as many sheets of a set as may be found to 
apply to the job in hand. Changes are made when required, if 
found to be economically possible, otherwise new drawings are 
prepared. 

Because of the invariable differences in street grades, eleva- 
tions and subsurface conditions new drawings are always re- 
quired for the lower floor, cellar and foundations, and the plot 
plan with necessary changes in all elevations and sections, but 
even with these necessary changes there is a great saving in time, 
expense and the avoidance of error. 

This method of standardization and preparation of work 
which has been extended so as to include specifications, has now 
been in use for the last three years and has proven so success- 
ful that men are being specially trained in its application. 

TYPE OF PLANS TO MEET UNUSUAL CONDITIONS 

The street plan of the old City of New York has been the 
subject of severe condemnation because of the very few nortli 
and south thoroughfares to handle the ever-increasing traffic. 
Practically each of these avenues has its surface or elevated 
car lines which together with the vehicular traffic create such a 
volume of noise as to render necessary the development of a 
plan which would make it possible to place a school building 
at some point between the avenues upon a not overlarge site, 
and at the same time obtain needed quiet together with unob- 
structed light and air. 

This condition applied particularly to the built-up sections, 
but its solution through the design of what is termed the "H" 
type of school building which the writer presented in 1896 pro- 
vided a means whereby the various Boards of Education have 
been free to place its buildings near the centre of a block and 
away from the heavy traffic lines on the avenues. 



28 




Fig. 5— ONE OF THE TWO COURTYARDS FACING THE STREETS, "H' 

TYPE OF BUILDING 

p. S. 179, lOlST STREET, EAST OF AMSTERDAM AVENUE, MANHATTAN 



29 

The plots selected have been from 150 feet to 200 feet in 
width by the depth of the block from street to street, usually 
200 feet. 

The side walls are built upon the property lines, thus shut- 
ting out noise and unpleasant surroundings, an abundance of light 
and air being assured by means of the courtyards facing the 
streets. 

Two more buildings of this type, one with 72 classroom units 
and auditorium, and another with 56 classroom units, audi- 
torium and swimming pool, are now to be added to those al- 
ready built and in use in the Borough of Manhattan with others 
to follow in The Bronx and Brooklyn as the need may arise. 

Another type is that of the new school building known as 
annex to P. S. 72, on 104th street and Lexington avenue, devel- 
oped to meet conditions when a 48 classroom unit building to- 
gether with an auditorium was required to care for the over- 
crowding in a densely built up section, due to an increase of 
school population. In this instance, the increase has arisen 
through rebuilding and alteration of older quarters so as to 
accommodate a greater number of families. 

The only property obtainable without very great expense 
and the destruction of many homes is a plot 100 feet wide and 
200 feet deep through the block and this, as will be seen by the 
illustration, is ocupied by houses, practically the only small ones 
in the entire neighborhood. 



30 




Fig. 6. 

THE TWO FOUR-STORY AND BASEMENT DWELLINGS AND FOUR TWO-STORY AND ATTIC 
DWELLINGS r.N THE 104tH STREET END OF THE BLOCK, WHICH HAS BEEN ACQUIRED FOR 
ANNEX TO PUBLIC SCHOOL 72, 104tH STREET, WEST OF LEXINGTON AVENUE, MANHATTAN. 



31 



The plan shows that despite the restrictions imposed by the 
site each of the school rooms and the auditorium, as well as 
the indoor playroom on the first floor, will receive the requisite 
amount of light and air. 




Tl l-J T i LOOD. Pl* N 

Fig. 7— ANNEX TO PUBLIC SCHOOL 72, MANHATTAN 

FIRST FLOOR PLAN SHOWING AUDITORIUM AND INDOOR PLAYROOM 



32 



Outdoor play space to the rather remarkable amount of 
12,000 square feet, or three-fifths of the entire plot of 20,000 
square feet, will be provided on the roof. Toilet, drinking facil- 
ities and the enclosure of the entire space overhead as well as 
at the sides with wire netting renders this playground space 
usable for practically any purpose. 




ToutTii Flo OIL Plan 
3c«ii..y.o--i-o 

Fig. 8— ANNEX TO PUBLIC SCHOOL 72, MANHATTAN 

TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN INDICATING ARRANGEMENT OP CLASSROOMS AND LIGHT COURT 

Although in the development of this particular building there 
has been no departure from the standards so far as classroom 
units and flexibility of plan is concerned, nevertheless it is not 
a type which should be used for elementary school purposes ex- 
cept as a last resort. More ample sites permit the development 
of better types of building. 

The history of the eight-story building for the Washington 
Irving High School at 16th street and Irving place, and of the 
ten-story building for the Manhattan Trade School for Girls at 
22nd street and Lexington avenue, both practically in the heart 
of the city on plots of the size used by small office buildings, are 
so well known as to not require repetition. 



33 




Fig. 9— MANHATTAN TRADE SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 

22nd street and Lexington avenue, Manhattan 



34 

Each presented a distinct problem as to use and location and 
notwithstanding their restricted area and their height have been 
highly successful as schools. 

Another interesting problem is that presented by the School 
for the Deaf, now located in an old elementary school building 
on the north side of 23rd street east of Third avenue, at no 
great distance from the two schools just noted. The school, 
built on a small plot and surrounded by six-story buildings was 
abandoned for elementary school purposes long ago. 

Later it was made use of by one school organization after 
another, pending the construction of new buildings, and finally 
was used experimentally in the development of a School for the 
Deaf. 

This school has now become such a wonderful success that 
there is an imperative need for larger and more suitable quar- 
ters. Location plays a very important part in the question, for 
since the pupils come from all parts of the Greater City the 
school must be central and easily reached. 

This most essential requirement is considered as being best 
met by the present building. Additional property has therefore 
been acquired at the rear and at one side so that the entire plot 
will have a frontage of 122 feet extending 197 feet 6 inches 
through the block to 24th street. 



^^KsVV^S.^^v.^^vV'v^vv^VnV 



LA/T'24'"-/'TR.ttT 
IZl'-O' 



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S 




/HUCHlD'HeiLlNf IIIPlCATt/-llt«>Pyfll/tP-&'LP'fi- 7} 
^\^^\\\\^\\\\\X\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\^V^1 



1 







Fig. 10— PLOT PLAN, SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF 



36 

Inasmuch as there is no building to which the school could 
be removed pending the erection of a new structure the present 
building must be left intact insofar as is possible and continued 
in use until such a time as the first portion of the new one is 
ready. 

The general situation is shown by the plot plan, whereon 
is indicated the present building, the new property acquired, and 
its proposed development. 

East 24th street for its entire length from Third to Second 
Avenues, is a noisy business thoroughfare and can be utilized 
only so far as the school is concerned for light, air and emer- 
gency exits. 

The noise, because of the nature of the school, will not prove 
detrimental. 



37 




lb6iLER. -Room 



n u 

'■^L AY IS OOyW 




^.m^ 



Orfice- 






^A^T 23^ STREET 



Fig. 11— ENTRANCE PLAN ON EAST 23RD STREET, SCHOOL FOR THE 

DEAF 



38 



The main entrances for all purposes will therefore be placed 
on East 23d street, which being wide, proves very suitable for 
the purpose. 



\l\o 




Fig. 12— FIRST FLOOR, SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF 



39 

The development of the plan has been controlled very largely 
by the peculiarities of the situation, but it is thought will prove 
highly satisfactory, since with the removal of the present build- 
ing there will be space for both indoor and outdoor play for 
the 600 pupils that are to be accommodated. As many of the 
pupils are escorted to and from the school by parents, relatives 
or others, a reception room has therefore been provided just 
at the entrance. 

Leading from this is a wide corridor, giving ready access to 
the administration offices and the main building, including the 
auditorium. This corridor will be about nine feet higher than 
the main entrance due to there being that much difference in 
the street grades. This difference in levels is offset by making 
the main entrance and administration offices with a lesser story 
height, and the utilization of the difference by adding it to that 
of the auditorium, so that the second-story level will be uniform 
throughout. This plan has afforded a most excellent oppor- 
tunity for locating the exhibition room at a point where it is 
easily accessible to all visitors as well as for the school itself. 



40 

IA/T'Z4'"VT11LLT 



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/tut 



C R. 
21 1 



A 



C R. 
Z 1 3 



A 



/tWIHO R.O0A 
117 



/N 




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•"219- 



9 



ly 



C R. IL I P OR. 

V 



Chaut t iN/r HUCTlOX-IlOO* 
Z I z 



PORI/TIC- /CilMCt- 
E 1 6 



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lalojolo 

/t out S-OOft- 



Lit I t8.i«6 ^ /lam 

? « I H T I H (j ■''h f 
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I.I I I 







E A / I - Z 5'' - / T III LT 

F:g. 13— SECOND FLOOR PLAN, SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF 



41 



lA/T -24-" -/TULLT 



6 IL 
4 1 « 



i\ 



4 D 6 



i-N 



ll YM H A/ I UA 
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Fig. 14— FOURTH FLOOR PLAN, SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF 



42 

The illustration given herewith indicates quite clearly that 
which is contemplated. There is every reason to believe that 
upon completion nothing will be found wanting except such a 
setting of lawn and trees and flowers, as would be natural to 
expect were the school placed in an outlying section. 



lk5T ' Z^ '" ' 5 1 \Llll 




^ La 5T • 2 3 ^'' 5 T CEL T 

Fig. 15— TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN, SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF 



44 



The New York Training School for Teachers is another 
organization which has proven so successful that the Board of 
Education finds that it must be provided with new quarters with- 
out delay. 




Fig. 16— NEW YORK TRAINING SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS 

BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN 

Plot is not only irregular in form, but the difference in grade as between the 
front and rear is about 15 feet. 



45 



The organization consists of a model school and a Depart- 
ment of Theory, which at present occupies a building designed 
and built wholly for elementary school purposes. 

The neighboring schools need relief from overcrowding and 
the organization of a model school in the new location will serve 
this purpose. 




•'.IVJlTCUM 
1 0-0" 



CeLLAIL fLO_OPL_ PLAn 



Fig. 17— NEW YORK TRAINING SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS 

CELLAR OR LOWER FLOOR PLAN, SHOWING THAT THE EXITS FROM THE R.4MPS AND COR- 
RIDORS OPPOSITE THE AUDITORIUM FOLLOW THE NATURAL GRADING OF THE STREETS SO AS TO 
FORM EXITS AT THE LOWER LEVELS. 



46 



The school is distinctly of the Borough of Manhattan and 
it also must be so located as to be easy of access. It therefore 
follows that there is no unimproved land available, and the 
problem is therefore being met by the utilization of a vacant site 
which the Board of Education owns and which is located so as 
to serve every purpose. The site, however, is small, irregular in 
form and is on the side of a sharp declivity. 



V 




r/ l^//y///^///r7^r/j ^ /7/73 ^ 



5 STOR.Y APAHTAftHT HOUSi:, 




S TOREROOM 



6 STOHY APA^MErtT HOUSL 
V 



Uppeic Par-t or /tage. 



Storeroom 



cji. 




JrCOrtD flOOTL PiArt 

ycALE VSt"- I-O" 



Fig. 1&-NEW YOEK TRAINING SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS 

SECOND n/)OR PLAN. THAT PORTION WHICH IS HATCHED INDICATES THE MODEL SCHOOL; 
THE SOLID LINES THE DEPARTMENT'S THEORY. 



47 



Here again is an instance where the very difficulties which 
must be met and overcome in the planning of the building yield 
after all the utmost interest especially since the very objection- 
able features of sharp gradient and acute angles of the front 
are made to provide exceptional facilities for the good of the 
school. 



3 STOILY AMt-TMErtT H0U5E 



■f^/'/f/jyjjj//jj/ 



ClL 



.Y APA 




6 STOdY APAHTMEMT H 



0U5L 



n 



i-li A ! 



M 






iCIIVHCt 



TlACHIR* 
J TOILIT r 



3hc 



TiACHIRS [ 

^ Room [ 



% 



Library *^;^ 



^ 






DUCTS 



Cft. 



Oft. 



Cfl. 



Ab-t 
'Dipt 



1 




f O U R.TH f LO OR^ P I A M 

Fig. 19— NEW YORK TRAINING SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS 

FOURTH FLOOR PLAN 



48 



All that will be lacking on the completion of the building will 
be a proper setting and an abundance of outdoor play space. 



Bt^B^S Bi )'rn]'^Vii m 



L O C K E B. * 






llfST. 

orr. 



35CO 5Q.rT 



a 

W\ Toilet 



inniiiiinn ijr • • ■ ■ii'n ; »■ * " ' ^ 




3 




P L AY 5 PA C R 

6900 $0.. TT. 



3 I -L^W f LO OR^ -P 



LAM 



»/CALt '/3l'= I-( 



r 



L C K E R S 



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GcYAV JT AS lUM 

J400 5Q..FT. 



Toilet 



^ 



i^lODEL 
G AR. D r, JV 

1400 i^.n 



Fig. 20— NEW YORK TRAINING SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS 

ROOF PLAN WITH TWO GYMNASirMS 



49 



Again, these examples of special buildings are not given as 
what would be provided were there proper sites available or ac- 
quirable at a reasonable outlay of money, but rather, as the 
Superintendent of Schools views it, the providing of school 
facilities in the best manner possible in the most highly improved 
sections of the city where they have long been required, but 
have been set aside in years past, for less troublesome and less 
expensive projects. 




Fig. 21— NEW YORK TRAINING SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS 

LONGITUDINAL SECTION 



STANDARD TYPES OF PLANS 

Many objections are usually raised whenever a standard plan 
is proposed, the principal one being that the adoption of such 
plan meant something fixed and unchangeable which would 
block all progress. 

This basic objection can be shown to have no merit since the 
standard set up has been that of use by which all else might be 
measured, leaving the architect free to exercise his judgment as 
to the plan and design. 



50 



The Board of Superintendents reached the conclusion that 
a building would represent the maximum in size if it accom- 
modated from 1,800 to 2,000 pupils, depending upon the kind 
of organization. 

A plan was therefore developed, designated as Type A, on 
a maximum frontage of 193 feet. 6 inches, representing the 
minimum of the average frontage of a block, and as such would 
therefore be available for use wherever the type was required 
without the expenditure of the time needed for entirely new 
plans. 



fwe 3TOIL.T AuiLDINa 

CUurocm omi, 49 
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Fig. 22— STANDARD TYPE "A" ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 

FIEST FLOOR PLAN 
LARGE CENTRAL PLAYROOM BEING USED ALSO FOR GYMNASIUM PURPOSES 



51 




Fig. 23— SECOND FLOOR PLAN 

AUDITORIUM AND CLASSROOMS 




FiP U R-TH • pL^£7R-- P L A >J 

*^a/e ^ 't'-o'' 

Fig. 24— FOURTH FLOOR PLAN, which is typical 
Note that there are nO' flvies in the partitions between the various classrooms 
along the front, which gives opportunity for rean-angement as may best»suit the vari- 
ous activities which require more than a classroom space. 



52 



The type plan has worked out exceedingly well in practice, 
fifteen such buildings having been either completed or are now 
under construction, with eleven others to follow within the next 
four weeks. However, the continued study of the problem of 
providing relief for the overcrowding, made under the direc- 
tion of the Superintendent of Schools, has led to the adoption 
by the Board of Education of the recommendation of the Board 
of Superintendents that a 73-classroom unit and auditorium 
building be provided for two locations in the Bronx, instead of 
the Type A of 48-classroom tmits, as had been decided upon a 
year ago. 

This problem has been met through the design of a building 
which provides for four separate and distinct gymnasiums of 
a size which makes possible the carrying out of a program en- 
abling each pupil to have one period of physical training each 
day. 




First Ti-ioR Pi »"! 



Fig. 25 — FIRST FLOOR PLAN of the "a" 73 type, providing for playroom as well 

AS TWO GYMNASIUMS 

This requires a frontage of at least 260 feet. 



53 







Fig. 26— SECOND FLOOR PLAN of the "a-73" type 




JHIKP fLCOR^ ■pJ.A/1 

Fig. 27. 
"a-73" type, ty'pical floor plan, classroom units to be rearranged to suit various 

activities 



54 




Fig. 28. 
FIFTH FLOOR PLAN, showing the two gymnasiums, each 3,200 sq. ft. 

THESE, together WITH THOSE ON THE FIRST FLOOR, MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE PHYSI- 
CAL TR.4INING FOR ALL PUPILS OF THE SCHOOL EACH DAY. 




Fig. 29. 
"u"-69 TYPE. FIRST FLOOR DESIGNED TO OVERCOME THEl DIFFICULTY EXPERIENCED IN 
OBTAINING SITES FOR THE A-73 TYPE, WHILE PROVIDING FOR PRACTICALLY THE SAME ACCOM- 
MODATIONS. 



55 



This new type is an enlargement of Type A and is tradi- 
tional in that the auditorium is on the central axis of the build- 
ing. The frontage required, however, is 260 feet, a plot which 
is not obtainable, except in outlying sections. 

A recognition of this fact as well as that in all probability 
the Board of Superintendents would wish to plan school organi- 
zations ranging between the 48 and 73-classroom types, and at 
the same time retain the facilities for physical training which the 
larger one provides, led to a further study wherein the frontage 
of the building has been held to the 193 feet 6 inches as in the 
Type A which is essential if the buildings are to be placed in the 
older, or built up sections. 




Fig. 30—69 TYPE. SECOND FLOOR PLAN. 
Note : Auditorium as well as gymnasiums on the first floor will have light and air 
on both sides for the entire length. The large corridor space is to be used for exhi- 
bition pui-poses. 



56 



The result has been the presentation of plans for a 56-class- 
room unit and auditorium and a 69-classrooni unit and audi- 
torium, U Type, each so designed that they may be readily in- 
creased in size to any desired extent. ^ 

The much desired gymnasium accommodations have been 
provided in each case as well as an increase from 550 to 750 in 
the number of seats in the auditorium. 




Fig. 31—69 TYPE. THIRD FLOOR PLAN. 



57 



These plans present a radical departure from the traditional 
type in that the auditorium is not on the central axis and one 
story and basement in height, but takes its place as the second 
floor of one of the wings which is 60 feet in width. 

The approach will be by the main stair at the centre of the 
building leading to an entrance hall 22 feet by 80 feet, which 
will provide the proper and much needed space for school ex- 
hibits. 







Fig. 32—69 TYPE. FIFTH FLOOR PLAN. 



58 



The fact that the auditorium is not on the central axis is 
far more apparent on the plan than will be the case in actual 
construction. In this plan a great natural daylighting of the 
auditorium will be possible, since no part of it will extend back 
under the buildings, as now, necessitating the omission of about 
thirty per cent, of the windows which are required. 




Fig. 33 — "U-56" TYPE, MODIFICATION OF THE "u-69" TYPE. 

This, together with the alterations of the first and second floors, represents the 
studies which we made in following out the same plan for the smaller building. 
Revised sketches are now under way which will more nearly correspond to the larger 
type, and 3^et provide only 53 classroom units. 



59 



The sketches indicate only about 5,000 square feet of indoor 
playroom space. This space may be increased to say 9,000 
square feet by covering over a part of the central courtyard 
with a one-story building. This modification has not been shown 
as it is thought best to maintain the free light and ventilation for 
the gymnasiums now provided by the plan. 




Fig. 34— "u-56" TYPE. SECOND FLOOR PLAN. 



It would also seem fairly possible that these extra facilities 
might be obtained through the utilization of either one or both 
of the gymnasiums on the same floor level. 



60 




(TvriCA.1.) 



Fig. 35— "u-56" TYPE. TYPICAL FLOOR PLAN. 

The following will indicate very clearly the accommodations 
provided by buildings of the 48, 56, 69 and 73-classroom unit 
types, it being understood that the classroom units will be util- 
ized to provide for such activities requiring one and one-half or 
two classroom units as may be necessary for any particular plan 
of organization. 



61 



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62 

It is believed that the 56 and 69-classroom unit types present 
many and distinct advantages over the A type. 

For instance, there is the additional gymnasium facilities of 
proper form and location ; the increased daylighting possible, 
and to mention only another, but one of prime importance, espe- 
cially in this city, the fact that additions of any desired extent 
may be made with only a minimum of disturbance of the ex- 
isting structure. 

A further study of the plan will be made in order to adjust it 
to the 48-classroom unit organization and thus permit of its use 
instead of the present Type A, which can not be increased in 
size. 

I consider this plan to be one of the most important which I 
have contributed in my service to the department, and feel safe 
in venturing the opinion that, because of adaptation without 
change in block front location, unrestricted natural light and 
air to every room used either for instruction or administration, 
enlargement to any extent desired without expense for changes 
and alterations to the then existing building, ease of administra- 
tion, as well as economy in plan and in cost of construction, it 
will quickly take its place as the standard type for New York 
City schools. 

HIGH SCHOOLS 

The advantage to be derived from standardization has been 
quite apparent in the preparation of plans for the new High 
Schools, for while each of the four new ones are planned for 
3,500 students, yet there exists a reasonable need for one of 
about one-half this capacity. 

We believe this need may be met through the development 
of the 73 or 69-classroom unit and auditorium type of building 
for high school use, utilizing such classroom units as may be 
necessary for various activities. 

This possibility was suggested in response to a request for 
something to meet the needs of a community which was very 
much divided in sentiment as to the location of a proposed large 
high school building, it being thought that two smaller ones at 



63 



some distance apart might best solve the problem. 'One of the 
advantages will arise from the fact that a very large saving 
in time would result in the preparation of the plans through the 
use of the standard, for which the drawings of walls, columns, 
girders and floor systems, heating and ventilating, and much 
other work would be readily available. 

Further, such a building could be readily and inexpensively 
converted from an elementary to a junior high, or in any other 
combination, since the same standard of layout and construc- 
tion would be followed. 

It was thought that the limit in size, at least of High Schools, 
had been reached when the last one designed, some years ago 
provided for 2,500 students. 

The pressure for secondary education, however, is so great, 
with the resultant overcrowding of all existing facilities, that the 
Board decided that the four High Schools now to be erected 
should provide for approximately 3,500 students each. 

The first of these for which contract has been let is the 
Thomas Jefferson located in the southwesterly part of Browns- 
ville section of Brooklyn. 



64 




65 

The site for this building was acquired April 2, 1915, the de- 
clared intention at that time being to construct a high school at 
once. 

The plot has a frontage of 195 feet on Dumont Avenue and 
extends back for 420 feet on Pennsylvania and Sheffield avenues. 

A new building for this site was included in the 1921 build- 
ing program by the present Board of Education and an allotment 
made therefor out of the first installment of monies granted by 
the Board of Estimate and Apportionment May 13th, 1921. 

Plans were started at once. 

The building will make provision for the instruction of both 
boys and girls, with total normal accommodations for 3,500 
students. 

The building has been designed so as to provide the best of 
facilities for school administration and instruction, and at the 
same time prove economical as to construction and maintenance. 
Further, that to the fullest extent it shall meet the requirements 
for social and commtmity activities without in any way lessen- 
ing its value for school purposes. 

In fact, the two have been combined to even a greater extent 
than was the case in the Washington Irving High School at 16th 
street and Irving place, Borough of Manhattan, which probably 
stands at the head of the list of public school buildings in this 
country in the matter of intensive use, not only for school but for 
community service. 

Effort has therefore been made to retain and develop such 
features as especially appeal to the school or the community and 
to suggest such others as were thought to be desirable. 



66 




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67 



The main or central entrance leads directly to a large hall on 
which, at the right, are the office for the principal and the 
general or executive offices for the school. 

A very careful study of the business involved in the imme- 
diate administration of our larger high schools leads to the con- 
clusion that both its importance and volume has been under- 
estimated. 

Not only, therefore, have office arrangements and conven- 
iences familiar to the business world been provided, but also, 
adjacent thereto a teachers' record and program room. Di- 
rectly beneath this and accessible by a stairway is to be a large 
general book and supply room, from which distribution may be 
made to the various floors by means of one of the elevators. 

To the left of the entrance are the offices for the Principal 
of the Evening School, the general organization or other activi- 
ties, as well as one for the custodian. 

A large entrance hall leads directly into the auditorium, 
which occupies a central position, with wide corridors on each 
side. 

The opening in the proscenium wall is about 72 feet wide. 
This fixes the length of the platform, which, however, is indi- 
cated as of a normal depth, sufficient only for ordinary use, but 
not at all adequate for graduation exercises, plays, pageants and 
many other uses which now seem essential for the school and 
for the community. 

In order to meet these demands without devoting a thou- 
sand or more square feet of floor space to only occasional use, 
the girls' gymnasium, which is planned to be sixty feet in depth 
by one hundred feet in length, is placed directly behind and on 
the same level with the auditorium platform. 

Instead of a permanent partition provision is made for a 
movable partition operated by electric power, which will give 
opportunity for a clear, unobstructed opening of about sixty feet 
in width. 

This will afford unlimited space for the production of pag- 
eants or plays, or for exhibitions, games, athletics or any other 
features of interest. 



68 

In case of need the combined auditorium and gymnasium 
will afford accommodations for a mass meeting or other gath- 
erings of about two thousand, five hundred people. 

In anticipation of this large use, ample exits have been pro- 
vided on either end of the gymnasium leading straight through 
to the streets or open yards. 

At the left of the auditorium is the library, accommodating 
about 125 students when seated six at a table, space being pro- 
vided for the usual library equipment, book stacks, etc., as well 
as a reading alcove and an office and a librarian's room for the 
repair of books. 

The corridor partition above the book stacks, which should 
be only 4 feet six inches high, will be made of plate glass, thus 
affording, from the corridor, an uninterrupted view of the in- 
terior of the library, which will be made most attractive. 

The music room, seating about one hundred persons, is placed 
at the rear. A platform for a piano, as well as a room for the 
storage of musical instruments are included in the plan. 

Usually the music room and the library are located above the 
first floor, but having in mind the vast opportunities which they 
present for community use, they have been placed on the first 
floor, as it is now understood that this will not seriously inter- 
fere with their use for school purposes. 

Adjacent to the gymnasium are rooms to be used for pur- 
poses of instruction in hygiene. Another one is primarily for 
assignment for a meeting place for boys' neighborhood clubs or 
other organizations, and can be fitted up so as to more readily 
withstand the wear and tear to which it would be subjected. 

The gymnasium lockers have been placed in rooms beneath 
the gymnasiums rather than crowd them into the first and mez- 
zanine floors, the latter of which provides small visitors' gal- 
leries at either end of the gymnasiums. 

The girls' gymnasium has been placed directly back of the 
platform, while the boys' gymnasium is in a separate building to 
the right of the main building and connected therewith by a wide 
entrance hall. 



69 

Beneath the boys' • gymnasium and Hghted by skyHghts is 
the swimming pool of standard size 21 by 60 feet. 

In addition to this are shower baths, toilets, locker rooms 
and all other facilities. 

The arrangement is such that the swimming pool may be 
shut off so as to be used either by boys or by girls, as need may 
arise. 

The separation of the boys' gymnasium from the main build- 
ing makes it possible for this to be used for entertainments, 
dancing, athletics and numerous other purposes without in any 
way interfering with the main building or even requiring that 
it be opened for entrance purposes. 

Further opportunity for community use has been afforded 
by the use of folding partitions between the teachers' record 
room and the two classrooms adjacent, so that if all these rooms 
were equipped with tables and chairs they would be readily 
available for use. 

The almost universal need of putting into effect double ses- 
sion programs in high schools has created an insistent demand 
for an increased number of pupils' lockers over and above 
those placed in the official classrooms. 

To meet this demand space has been provided on the first 
floor for about 250 clothing lockers, and on the second or gal- 
lery floor for about 500 others. 

The floor of the auditorium is planned with the maximum 
slope allowed by the Building Code. In order to take up this 
difference in level which would be greatest at the exits next 
the platform, the level of the corridor floors has been adjusted 
to meet this by gradient rather than through the use of steps. 



70 




Fig. 39— THIRD FLOOR PLAN. 

Indicating the apportionment of space and the abundance of light and air -which will be 
available for rooms upon the court, which is 100 feet wide. 

There are five principal entrances to the building, the main 
or central entrance, two at the right and two at the left. 

It is entirely within the range of probability that a building 
thus planned and located as this will be in one of the more 
thickly populated sections of our city, will be in continuous 
use at all times outside of school hours. With this arrange- 
ment it will be quite feasible for several different organizations 
to make use of the first floor independently of each other, and 
such use will be greatly facilitated by the wide separation of 
the various entrances and by the use of numerals to designate 
them. 



71 



Splendid facilities for instruction have been provided the 
following being the assignment of space : 

71 Classrooms @ 35 each 2,485 

2 Science rooms @ 35 70 

1 Music room 98 

2 Typewriting rooms, 1 @ 40 and 1 @ 60 100 

4 Drawing rooms @ 35 140 

1 Domestic science room 35 

1 Lecture room (seats 70) 35 

1 Physics laboratory 35 

1 Chemical laboratory 35 

1 Botany laboratory 35 

1 Zoology laboratory 35 

1 Sewing room 35 

1 Library 125 

1 Printing room, ^ unit 

1 Bank and store, ^ unit 

Total 3,263 

In addition, there are two gymnasiums with a 

capacity of 200 each, a total of 400 

Grand total 3,663 

The library, which seats from 100 to 125, and the cafeterias 
seated with tables and chairs, will, on the bases of 20 square 
feet per pupil, accommodate 250 each, or a total of 500 pupils. 

The cafeteria, which in a building of this size, requires a 
large amount of space, has been placed on the top floor and 
extends across the entire front of the building, accommodations 
for boys being placed on the one side and for girls on the other. 

The kitchen occupies a central location and serves not only 
the two lunchrooms for the students, but also the teachers' 
lunchroom, which is placed on the mezzanine floor. 

Service is provided by means of elevators running through 
to the basement, one of them to handle all supplies, thus avoid- 
ing all contact with those portions of the building which are 
occupied by the students. 



72 

The tables and chairs for the equipment of the cafeterias 
will be of a type similar to those in use both in classrooms and 
lunchrooms of the Washington Irving High School. When not 
in use, the cafeteria provides a large, light, airy space w^hich 
can be utilized for study purposes. 

To insure against disturbance by the lunch service provision 
has been made, by means of folding doors, to shut off an area 
of about five thousand square feet for each of the cafeterias, 
so that neither noise, odors nor other disturbing features of 
the lunch service w^ill be present. 

These doors enclose the space in which is placed the kitchen, 
the lunch counters and other equipment, so that when thrown 
back at the time when service is actually required, it opens up 
directly into a large lunch room. 

This disposition of the space will very largely increase the 
number which the building may be called upon to accommodate. 

The administrative requirements for the new building par- 
ticularly demand that provision be made outside the rooms for 
instruction. 

Offices for heads of department for the transaction of busi- 
ness are required at various points. 

Rest rooms for teachers and sick rooms for girls students 
are provided. 

Toilet facilities of the very latest type have been placed at 
the most convenient locations. 

Full electric light provision will be made, so that the build- 
ing may be used in whole or in part for evening instruction or 
community use. 

Particular attention will be paid in the designing of the heat- 
ing and ventilating plant so as to further this most desirable 
end. 

Bids for the general construction were opened on April 18th, 
award being made to the lowest bidder — $1,266,621.00. 

The contracts for Sanitary, Electric, Heating and Ventila- 
tion, Furniture and Gymnasium equipment, will probably total 
about $600,000, so that the total cost, ready for occupation, will 
be somewhat less than two million dollars. 



73 



THE JULIA RICHMAN HIGH SCHOOL 

The second of these large high schools to be put under con- 
tract will be that for the Julia Richman, on 67th to 68th streets, 
east of Second avenue, in the Borough of Manhattan. 

The site is practically vacant and as such was the only one 
available. 

6 8'-' - - S T R, E E T - 




6 7 '•■ 



S T R, E. E T 



- P L T - P L A N - 
-JULIA-LICHMAN-HIQH-SCHOOL - 

Fig. 40— PLOT PLAN, JULIA RICHMAN HIGH SCHOOL, 

67th street and 2nd avenue., Manhattan. 



A public playground occupies the easterly end of the block. 

The site was at first considered as wholly unsuitable because 
of the noise caused not only by the street traffic but by the 
elevated and surface cars as well. 

The problem was solved, however, by planning for a sep- 
arate building along the entire Second avenue frontage of some 
six stories in height, the 1st floor being devoted to a swimming 
pool, dressing rooms, showers, medical examiner, corrective 
training, offices and laundry. 



74 




Fig. 41— JULIA RICHMAN HIGH SCHOOL. 

GYMNASIUM BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR PLAN, WITH SWIMMING POOL, LOCKER ROOMS, LAUNDRY 
ROOM, CORRECTIVE TRAINING AND OTHER FEATURES. 

The large gj-mnasiam is placed on the second floor, two gymnasiums on the third 
floor, while the upper floors will be used for those school activities, such as typewriting, 
which will not suffer from the noise incident to the operation of the "L" roads. 

The second and third floors are planned for gymnasium use, 
while the floors above are assigned to school use as may be 
required. 

This gymnasium is separated from the main structure by a 
court 45 feet wide, closed on the north end by connecting pas- 
sageways from the several floors, but upon the south side open 
to the street. 

It is believed that this arrangement will eliminate the noise 
of traffic as nearly as is possible in such closely built up sections 
of the city. 

The building otherwise is very much like the Thomas Jef- 
ferson, as is also the New Utrecht High School, to be erected 
in the southwesterly or Bath Beach section of Brooklyn. 



75 



U: 



^^ 




Fig. 42— NEW UTRECHT HIGH SCHOOL, 

79th-80th streets and 16th avenue, borough of Brooklyn 
The building has been placed at the 16th Avenue end of the block in order 
to avoid the noise due to the operation of the "L" road on New Utrecht Avenue. 

The Board was exceedingly fortunate in selecting a site for 
this last named school, since it was enabled to obtain an entire 
block, thus providing for an athletic field immediately adjacent 
to the building. 

THE GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL. 

The fourth of these very large secondary schools, the George 
Washington High School, is to be erected on Audubon avenue 
opposite 193rd Street, Borough of Manhattan. 



76 



AM3TC.O.P/^AA AVE-MUe. 



C mRGE- Washington Migh5cmqql 



5CAl_Cl*-^lftJCH' iroof 




Fig. 43— SITE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL. 
Old Fort George of Revolutionary fame occupied that portion of the plot upon 
which the yard tablet has been marked. 

It includes a part of the site occupied by Fort George of 
Revolutionary fame, and because of the insistence of Superin- 
tendent of Schools Ettinger that the sites acquired be just as 
large as could be possibly obtained, it was made to include a 
plot of about 750 feet in length, which is to be subsequently 
enlarged. 



77 




Fig. 44r-FIRST FLOOR PLAN. 

The space in the floor ibelow at the rear and between the two gymnasiums has 
been laid out for two swimming pools, each 75 feet in length. 

Inasmuch as Amsterdam Avenue along the rear of the property is practically 
50 feet lower than the front on Audubon Avenue, a part of this height being taken 
up with a solid rock ledge, makes it possible to have the swimming pool, together 
with the locker rooms, underneath the gymnasiums and at the same time many feet 
above the natural surface of the street. 



The plot is unimproved largely because of its rugged con- 
tour and sharp slope toward the east with a sheer drop of the 
/ock face of some 45 feet to Amsterdam avenue. 



78 




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I " 




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Fig. 45— SECOND FLOOR PLAN. 

These very peculiarities however have been made to lend 
themselves to the development of a plan which will utilize the 
difference in grade as spaces for locker rooms, two 75 foot 
swimming pools, each with a large open space for correction and 
instructional work, storage, etc., while the heating and venti- 
lating plant will be at the lowest available level. 



79 




Fig. 46— THIRD FLOOR PLAN. 
The cafeteria or lunch room will occupy the central part of the building on the 
fourth floor, the kitchen being placed on the floor above, with dumbwaiter service. 
This will make it possible to utilize the entire lunch room space for school purposes 
outside the lunch period. 

The building differs from the other high schools in both 
design and plan, being four rather than five stories high at the 
front and about 100 feet greater in length. 

girls' commercial high school. 
It is proposed, I believe, to provide for the site and the con- 
struction of a building for the Girls' Commercial High School 
in the Borough of Brooklyn, which is nov^ housed in inadequate 
and unsuitable, if not unsanitary, quarters in old Public School 
42, St. Marks and Classon avenues. The excess pupils are dis- 
tributed among various other buildings. 

The site proposed is of such size as would make it possible 
perhaps to utilize the design and to a large extent the floor 
plans of the George Washington High School for the proposed 
new building. Indeed in layout and design this new building 
more nearly approaches the ideal than those which we have 
been obliged to plan on sites of the usual limited area. 



80 



SPECIAL ACTIVITIES AND OTHER NEEDS. 

Mention has Seen made of the standardization which has 
been effected through the cooperation of the Board of Super- 
intendents. 

Its value from the standpoint of our Bureau arises from the 
fact that the requirements for each particular activity, for in- 
stance, is fixed and therefore known in advance of its being pro- 
vided for in the plans and specifications. 

Thus, when the recommendations for a building include, for 
instance, a domestic science room, the squad foreman of the 
draughtsmen in charge of the particular job turns at once to 
his "standards", and places before his men a plan as shown by 
the illustration, which indicates even to a new man a clear idea 
of what is required. 



81 



Tcb. to, i9id. 
>X)OME5TIc: • aCIElAICE.- DERARTAlE/iT- 

\t\ EL-EMEAiTAFrr SCHOOLS}. 
5MO\A/|/SG STAAIDARO EQUJ PAVEMT 

C!AB//HaT5 D. AMD O; XVaRDROBE , TEACHERS LOCKER ^ CJOOKI/SG 
BE* CH,-ElXeEP-r TOP AA<D CAS F-ITTI/NC, DWARF" RARTlTIOA<3 
AA(C> PIPE RAIL_I>NCS WILL. BE \H CE/SEF?A|_ COAITRACT 

RA/SC-ES, SI/SKS, REFRfCERATORS , VV/ASM TRAT^^ TOP A>SD 
CAS FITTI/SC- OF-COOKI/NG SCA«CM A/^D Pl_UA1BIAJG Or* 
BATH ROOy^A VVILU BE. IA^^ PJ_l>/«nBlAlG OOAITRACT 

OTHER E.Q«.JiPA\EA(-r f-ijr>n1ture COAJTRACT 



Carr/e/c 







Fig. 47— STANDARD LAYOUT FOR DOMESTIC SCIENCE DEPARTMENT. 



82 

ELEMENTARY WOODWOBKING SHOP. 

m ETLEr^^nTARY ^CHO0L5 

S^O\A//A^<3 -3TA/\/D^RD ^QU/PA/ff.NT 

CA^E^ A,^, At\^ C, jtACtltpiS lOCKtR, WARDPOBt. BOOK CAbintj, 
A/^D XunBtl? RACK V/llL 3t ir\ &Er\tR/^L CO/ITS^A^J- 

8ir|K, GrA^ pXA^yt a^d Gas piA]t SHtif Wiu J)t ir\ 



CORRIDOR. 




PLAN. 



OCAUE /^ 



Fig. 48— STANDARD LAYOUT FOR WOODWORKING ROOM IN AN 
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. 



83 



UBRARY 

IN ELCMENTAHY ^HOOLS 
SHOWING STANDARD EQUIPMENT 



FEB.nj<^ia 



THE WARDROBE, BOOK CAEWNtT, TEACHER'S LOCKt« AND BOOK STACKS WH.L Bt 
PROVIDED IN GENERAL CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT. 

OTHER EQUIPMENT IN FURNITURE CONTRACT 

IF COLUMNS OCCUR BACK OF BOOK CABINET. SUCH CABINET 3HO0I.D OC BROUOHT 
OUT FLU5H ON FRONT WITH WARDROBE. 



CORRIDOR 







tf-t' 



LIBRARY o 

n 3- 




^^^^S,^^ 



PI..AN 

3CALE V-I'-O' 

Fig. 49— STANDARD LAYOUT FOR LIBRARY IN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. 



84 



M&DiCAL & Clinical Qoom^ 

ELErME-AJTACV ^CHOOL>5 



G =^ GaoOutlet.3 in 

E)A3E . • 




7ig. 50-STANDARD LAYOUT FOR MEDICAL ROOMS, in which disposition op 

SPACE IS SUCH THAT THE ENTIRE AREA IS THAT OF A CLASSROOM UNIT. 

1 ^^°*! position of desk and card index for nurse at the door of the waiting room 
leading to the medical rooms. All partitions extend to the ceiling and are of sound- 
proof constmction Note that the central hallway exit leads directly into the school 
Hail so that the patients do not pass through the waiting room 

The teachers' rooms, indicated on the drawing, is no part" of the layout, it having 
occupied that position in the building proper at the time the drawing was made. 



85 

This same method extends to the sanitary, the electric and 
the heating sections, each being at once aware of the require- 
ments, thus doing away with the loss of time necessary in secur- 
ing information. 

Revision is made from time to time to suit the wishes of the 
Superintendent of Schools or the Board of Superintendents, in 
which event each section receives notice together with a new 
standard drawing. 

Illustrations have been included showing the standards for a 
Wood-working shop in an elementary school, a library and a 
medical room. 

This has been extended to include not only the requirements 
as shown by a plan, but the equipment as well. 

PROCEDURE IN THE PREPARATION OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING BUDGET. 

LETTING OF CONTRACTS, ALL WORK. 

SUGGESTIONS. 

Inquiry is made from time to time as to the reason for the 
taking of what is considered as an excessive length of time in 
the securing of a new school or in the letting of contracts, as 
compared with what might be accomplished if such an enter- 
prise were to be undertaken by a private corporation. 

The desired information has therefore been included as form- 
ing an essential part of the general subject and may be briefly 
outlined as follows : 

The request by the Board of Education for funds with which 
to purchase sites, construct and equip new public schools and 
additions, is based upon recommendations made by the Board 
of Superintendents. 

The data is prepared, under the direction of the Superin- 
tendent of Schools, by one of the Associate Superintendents, 
and supplies in the greatest detail complete information as to 
the reason for the recommendation of each particular item, to- 
gether with an approximate cost for each building or for the 
improvement of each site for playground or other purpose. This 
is considered by the Board of Education, either through its Com- 
mittee on Buildings and Sites, or sitting as a Committee of the 



Whole, or both. Upon final revision and approval it is for- 
warded to the Board of Estimate and Apportionment. The 
order in which this takes place may be scheduled as follows : 

(1) Instructions issued by the Superintendent of Schools 

to prepare Building Program, known as the Cor- 
porate Stock Budget. 

(2) Preparation of data by Associate Superintendent. 

(3) Consideration by Board of Superintendents. 

(4) Consideration by Committee on Buildings and Sites of 

the Board of Education, or 

(5) By the Board sitting as a Committee of the Whole. 

(6) Approval by the Board of Education. 

(7) Forwarded by Secretary to Board of Estimate and Ap- 

portionment. 

(8) Reference by that Board to the Committee on Finance 

and Budget. 

(9) Examination by its engineers. 

(10) Report by engineers to Committee on Finance and 

Budget. 

(11) Action by said Committee. 

(12) Action by Board of Estimate and Apportionment. 

(13) Notice to the Secretary of the Board of Education. 

(14) Report of Associate Superintendent to the Board of 

Superintendents as to the requirements of any par- 
ticular building — number of rooms, grades, etc. 

(15) 'Action by Board of Superintendents. 

(16) Report to the Board of Education. Consideration by 

Committee on Buildings and Sites. 

(17) Approval by said Board. 

(18) Copy forwarded by Secretary to Superintendent of 

School Buildings. 

(19) Obtaining of the building survey, and 

(20) Consideration by the Superintendent of School Build- 

ings as to what plan would best meet the require- 
ments. 

(21) Preparation of plans in the drafting room. 



87 

(22) Submission of preliminary design to the Art Commis- 

sion. 

(23) At completion of drawings, submission for final ap- 

proval, to the Art Commission. 

(24) Submission and approval of Bureau of Buildings in 

the borough in which the job is located. 

(25) If plumbing, gasfitting and electric work are included, 

submission to the Department of Water Supply, Gas 
and Electricity. 

(26) Preparation and printing of specifications. 

(27) Submission to and approval by Board of Education. 

(28) Forwarding of notice of such approval or resolutions 

by the Secretary of the Board to the Board of Esti- 
mate and Apportionment. 

(29) Reference to Committee of the Whole. 

(30) Reference to engineers of said Committee. 

(31) Examination by engineers. 

(32) Report back to the Committee of the Whole. 

(33) Action by said Committee. 

(34) Action by Board of Estimate and Apportionment. 

(35) Notice to Secretary of Board of Education. 

(36) Notice from Secretary to the Superintendent of School 

Buildings. 

(37) Submission to the Corporation Counsel for approval 

of form of contract and advertisement. 
(38) Filing in the office of the "City Record" and adver- 
tising for ten days. 

(39) Opening of bids by Superintendent of School Buildings. 

(40) Report to Board of Education. 

(41) Making of award. 

(42) Notification to the Comptroller for the approval of 

sureties. 

(43) Then returned to the Board of Education. 

(44) Surety bonds attached. 

(45) Contract signed. 

(46) To Auditor for recording. 



(47) Then its return to the Comptroller for his final ap- 

proval. 

(48) Notice of which is received, and 

(49) Conveyed to Deputy Superintendents. 

(50) Notice to the contractor to begin work. 

There are at least these important points which should be 
noted : 

First: Publicity and opportunity for consideration at any 
point in the entire proceedings. 

Second : Each step is either required by Law or ordinance, 
or is the result of years of experience in the transaction of pub- 
lic business and has thus become a fixed practice. 

Third: Accuracy is absolutely essential at all times, since 
an error would have most serious results. 

Fourth : Award of contracts must be made to the lowest 
(financially) responsible bidder. 

All of this necessarily requires time, and yet more time, 
in the event of the lowest bid being in excess of the approved 
estimate. In the latter case the Board of Education must either 
reject the bids or request the Board of Estimate and Apportion- 
ment to amend its approval of the estimated cost, which must 
then take the same form of procedure (see items 28 to 36, in- 
clusive) as already outlined. 

The equipment contracts for new buildings and improve- 
ments practically follow the order of procedure as indicated 
by Items 20 to 50, inclusive. 

It must be quite clear that private work parallels but a very 
few of the fifty items or steps and duplicates only about five. 
Moreover, in private practice the award may be made as may 
seem best, not of necessity to the lowest bidder, but to any 
bidder or to none at all, the job being simply given out on some 
form of a cost plus basis. Speed in construction then becomes 
only a question of expenditure of funds. 



89 

The same elaborate procedure must be followed in connec- 
tion with all contracts for equipment, for maintenance, for fire 
protection and for every job for which the estimated cost is 
$1,000 or more. 

The construction of a new roof or the building of a stair- 
way, provision for which has been made in the Budget, requires 
that the plans and specifications must be prepared, printed, ap- 
proved, etc., etc., in just the same manner as is required for -a 
new building. 

Further, the work of the Board of Education is upon pre- 
cisely the same footing as that of private parties so far as the 
approval of the various Building Bureaus and of the Depart- 
ment of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity is concerned, and 
has the same rights of appeal, but in addition its work is also 
subject to action of the Board of Estimate and Apportionment 
and of the Art Commission, from the decision on which, if ad- 
verse, there is no appeal. 

ARTIFICIAL ILLUMINATION 

This subject is one of ever increasing importance. 

It has been proven time and time again that our standard 
type of nine unit open bottom reflector equipment for classroom 
work was satisfactory if the Department of Water Supply, Gas 
and Electricity would provide proper type and size of incan- 
descent lamps, otherwise there were well founded complaints. 

This condition is even made more serious in evening schools 
because of the failure of that Department to provide a small 
reserve supply to replace burned out lamps, necessitating the 
waiting of a number of days before new lamps could be put in 
place. 

We have made constant efforts to have that Department 
recognize the importance of both these matters and have finally 
succeeded in obtaining an improvement through its providing 
larger lamps, and also a small reserve supply. 

Notwithstanding the handicap that the schools suffer because 
of the lack of authority or control of the artificial illumination 
of schools not being under the Board of Education, we have 



90 

proceeded to improve illumination, especially in new buildings, 
keeping abreast insofar as is practical with progress being made, 
not only to insure better illumination but greater economy in 
installation. 

To this end a study has been made along the lines of using 
in the classrooms fewer units with larger size lamps which with 
the improved type of enclosing glassware maintains the intrinsic 
brilliancy of the larger units without materially sacrificing the 
efficiency, within workable limits insofar as glare is concerned. 

These improvements were first undertaken in some of the 
older buildings in which there was an obsolete type of fixture. 

The plans thus presented to the Department of Water Supply, 
Gas and Electricity were approved in only a few instances, to- 
gether with the agreement that it would provide the proper size 
of incandescent lamps in order to insure the success of the 
installation. 

The reasons given for the apparent reluctance to approve 
the improved types of illumination or to supply lamps of cor- 
rect type and adequate candle power, is lack of sufficient ap- 
propriations. 

There are two principal needs of the schools for adequate 
artificial illumination. 

The first in importance, because it afl:ects several hundred 
thousand of our children, is the need of the day schools, in 
which the lengthened school day, and in very many cases the 
nearness of adjacent buildings, renders artificial illumination 
just as much an absolute necessity during the short or dark days 
of the fall, winter and spring months as it is in the business or 
manufacturing world in general. 

The second need arises from the use of the buildings for 
evening schools, lectures, recreation, neighborhood, or the 
various other purposes to which they are readily adapted. 

It is proper to direct attention to the fact that these build- 
ings together with their sites and equipment represent an in- 
vestment of hundreds of millions of dollars by the people of 
the community, but that the full use and enjoyment thereof is 



91 

curtailed, if not prevented, if there be failure to provide ade- 
quate lighting so that they may be cheerful and inviting, rather 
than dark, dingy and forbidding. 

Further, there is no need even to advertise their existence 
in the neighborhood through a more or less generous outside 
display, as experience shows that they will compete quite suc- 
cessfully with anything else if the interior be made attractively 
bright. 

It should not be forgotten that the tremendous extravagance 
in the use of electric illumination by private interests in the 
successful effort to interest the public is made possible only 
through the approval and encouragement of this same general 
public, which in one way or another, unknowingly perhaps, 
meets the cost. 

The schools of course want nothing of the kind, but the 
inference seems to be quite plain tthat if the matter be properly 
understood by the public there will be no lack of appropria- 
tions to bring the lighting of the schools up to any reasonable 
requirement. 

FIRE PREVENTION WORK 

This work was first seriously undertaken in 1904 when the 
Board of Estimate and Apportionment appropriated $300,000 
for fire escapes and $550,000 for permanent betterments. 

The work thus started has been carried forward as appro- 
priations from time to time have been made available. The ap- 
propriations total a sum of $3,450,000.00. 

On April 7th of this year the Board of Estimate and Appor- 
tionment made a further grant of $500,000. The work to be 
undertaken was that of removing fire hazards — the importance 
of which in some quarters have been greatly exaggerated and in 
others belittled. 

The facts are that the work to be undertaken will be largely 
in the nature of betterments and improvements and will not 
only contribute to greater comfort in the use of the various 
premises, but will also cut down losses in the event of fire. 



92 

It has been my practice for several years to include in my 
annual report, which is printed in the early part of each year 
in the journal of the Board, a list of the fire losses of the pre- 
ceding year. 

In my last report, which appears in Journal, 1922, pp. 677 
to 681, inclusive, it is recorded that 39 fires occurred in the 
buildings during 1921, the total loss being $21,022.50. 

In this I pointed out that : 

"An analysis of it will clearly show the very great advantage in 
having in each ibuilding a complete fire-fighting equipment of hand 
extinguishers. Underlying the whole, however, is the splendid show- 
ing made by the teachers and custodians in either extinguishing the 
fires or holding them in check until the firemen arrived on the scene 
and all this without confusion or panic in those cases where the fire 
occurred during school sessions. It is a record that well merits rec- 
ognition." 

Some of the equipment referred to was supplied from the 
more recent appropriation of the Board of Estimate and Appor- 
tionment of $250,000.00. 

During the year 1920 there were 43 fires at a total loss of 
$20,070, and in the year 1919, 28 fires at a total loss of $12,799.00. 

It is quite obvious that in many cases the property losses 
would have been very great were it not for the fire prevention 
work which had been carried out, and this should now be con- 
tinued with a large force of men until all the requirements as 
agreed upon between the Board of Education and the Fire and 
Building Departments have been met. 

HEATING AND VENTILATION 

Since the return of the draughting section of the Heating 
and Ventilating Division to this bureau on the first of January 
last, an intensive study has been made along the lines of simpli- 
fication and standardization. 

It is believed that the work should closely parallel that known 
as "commercial", eliminating, in so far as is possible, all special 
appliances, fittings and equipment, which not only cost more 
than those which might be termed "standard" but also involve 
very great delay at times before deliveries can be obtained from 
the manufacturers. 



93 

This is caused by the fact that much of this material is not 
carried in stock by dealers, but is furnished only on special 
order. 

Other studies have been made to bring about closer coopera- 
tion between the contractors for heating and those for construc- 
tion and, in fact, all contractors on a building. 

One of the causes of delay and friction has been the lack 
of cooperation in obtaining and putting into use of electrical 
power necessary for the carrying forward of various parts of 
the work. This power is required, perhaps, by several of the 
contractors on a building, and in the past this has given rise to 
difficulty in obtaining service from the electrical company ; fur- 
ther trouble has been experienced because of the lack of pump- 
ing to keep the premises free from water under all circumstances ; 
and last but not least has been the lack of artificial illumina- 
tion at all times, so that all contractors affected might carry 
forward their work intelligently and in a good, workmanlike 
manner, in cellars or otherwise dark portions of the premises. 

A remedy has been found in requiring that the general con- 
tractor, in order to further expedite his work as well as that of 
all equipment, "shall, during the progress of the work, provide 
"and maintain such temporary electrical connections and appli- 
"ances for lighting and power service as may be determined 
"upon by the Superintendent of School Buildings ; he shall also 
"provide electric lighting in the basement and cellar portions 
"where such artificial light may be needed, and connect to such 
"motors and supply current therefor as may be required to keep 
"the premises free from water, not only for construction pur- 
"poses but for heat installation as well ; he shall also provide 
"such electrical connections as may be needed for power pur- 
"poses by the various contractors for equipment, the cost, to- 
"gether with that for current consumed, to be paid for by such 
"equipment contractors as may make use of it." 

Careful analyses of expense for this sort of service on vari- 
ous buildings shows that it is very small indeed. In one instance 
the current charge was only Six dollars for certain work re- 



94 

quired by an equipment contractor, but the various difficulties 
to be overcome in obtaining this power caused several months 
delay. 

Another cause of friction and delay has been the inability 
of the heating contractor to set up and connect his radiation 
in the various classrooms until the general construction contrac- 
tor had laid the finished floors. 

Another feature of this is the constant complaints made of 
damage done to these floors in the handling of the radiators and 
the dirt and muss caused thereby. 

This will be all avoided in the future and the work of all 
parties very much expedited through the putting in of a cement 
platform beneath the windows which will be of a height just 
above that of the finished floors, upon which the radiators may 
be set at any time to suit the convenience of the heating con- 
tractor, as these platforms are to be put in place simultaneously 
with the casting of the floor arches. 

These are a few of the various matters which have been 
taken up, and at the same time the sections in the draughting 
room have been so reorganized as to make possible the letting 
of heating and ventilating contracts so as not to interfere with 
or delay those for construction. 

NEW BUILDING HALL OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION 

It is more and more apparent that a new headquarters build- 
ing, sufficient in size to house the Board of Education, together 
with all its offices and bureaus, has become an imperative neces- 
sity. 

The present building at 59th street and Park avenue was 
designed and built for the use of the Board of Education of 
what was then The City of New York, comprising what is now 
the Boroughs of Manhattan and The Bronx. 

Even at that time the proposal was seriously entertained of 
acquiring the remaining portion of the Park avenue front at 
the corner of 58th street, as it was thought that the building 
would very shortly prove to be inadequate. No steps were 



95 

taken, however, to carry out this plan because of the consoHda- 
tion of The Greater City which went into effect before the build- 
ing was completed. 

During the twenty- four years that have elapsed the school sys- 
tem has more than doubled in size, with the result that various 
officials of the supervisory and business bureaus and others who 
for convenience and efficiency in the transaction of business, 
should properly be together in one building, are scattered at 
various points in the city wherever accommodations could be 
secured. 

The project of a new administrative building has been brought 
forward from time to time, the only practical result being that 
about two years ago sketches were prepared for a new Hall 
of the Board on the plot of ground occupied by Public School 18 
in East 51st street just west of Lexington avenue, which be- 
cause of changes in neighborhood conditions was recommended 
for abandonment. It was considered necessary, however, to 
continue this school and the matter has been held in abeyance. 

Would it not be best, therefore, instead of waiting for some- 
thing to develop which might make possible the use of this plot 
or the purchase of some other site with the resultant delay, to 
consider the desirability of at once requesting the municipal 
authorities to provide a site for a new building for the Hall of 
the Board of Education on some unused portion of the Court 
house property and of providing funds for the construction of 
a plain, simple office building of sufficient size to meet all the 
needs of the department. 

THE SELECTION OF SCHOOL SITES 

It will have been noted perhaps that the schedule of some 
fifty different steps in the handling of the work prior to the 
actual construction period does not mention the subject of sites. 
This important matter will be covered by the report of Dr. 
Edward B. Shallow, but it would seem that many of the vex- 
ations and delays which occur in the selection and acquisition 
could be eliminated for at least a part of the city, if public 
school sites could be considered as a part of the City Plan. 



96 

J 

It has apparently always been and is now largely the custom 
through force of circumstances to postpone the selection and 
acquisition of a school, site until it be actually required and 
then to sin against this and future generations in not obtaining 
those of a size sufficient to provide not only the playground 
for the school itself but for the entire neighborhood as well. 

Very great liberality — for the City of New York — is now 
being shown in the acquisition of sites of greater area than it 
has heretofore been possible to obtain. 

Liberal school sites are wanted in the built up sections, 
where the absence of vacant land and the necessity therefore, 
of taking costly improved property, materially operates to limit 
the size of the school site. 

Such considerations would not operate, however, if the sub- 
ject of public school sites were considered as a part of the City 
plan, on precisely the same basis as streets. 

Morever, the title should be so held that the property could 
not be disposed of simply because a shrinkage or withdrawal 
of school children from the neighborhood rendered a school 
building unnecessary. On the contrary, the buildings should 
be cleared away if not needed, and the site left as a playground 
or park space. 

There does not appear to be a single instance during the 
last thirty years where the neighborhood would not have been 
greatly benefited by such a disposition of a school site no longer 
required for a school building. 

The City plan as affecting thousands of acres of unimproved 
land within the City limits is in the making. 

Taking as a background that which we know has taken 
place in this City, in the matter of growth of population and 
in the development of transit and other conveniences, it is not 
too much to assert that it is entirely feasible to lay out public 
school sites not only for elementary but for secondary schools 
and for public school athletic fields as well, coincident with 
that of the street plan in any undeveloped section so that they 
will be quickly available when required just as also are the 
streets and park spaces. 



97 



Experience also indicates that the selection and designation 
of a certain block of ground as a public school and playground 
site, and to be so used when required, would have a most excel- 
lent effect in stimulating the spreading out of the population 
and thus in time afford relief in the congested centres. 

At present there is no possible way to ascertain where or 
when a school will be located and therefore people with children 
are loth to move to an undeveloped section. 

It is quite obvious that there are many other advantages to 
be obtained for the people of the city if this plan be put into 
operation. 

While it may be said that the proposition thus advocated 
is unusual and is not provided for by law, there is no valid 
reason why the law should not be changed to make the plan 
possible. 

The preparation and adoption of such a plan would of course 
require a survey of population, transit and other data be made 
by the Board of Education and the recommendations arising 
from such study as to future needs be incorporated by the 
Board of Board of Estimate and Apportionment in the City 
plan for such territory as might be selected. 

SALARIES AND PENSIONS OF EMPLOYEES 

The very comprehensive and excellent plan which the Board 
of Education adopted on the subject of salaries for its Admin- 
istration Employees, has worked out well, with the exception 
perhaps that no one at the time it was prepared realized that 
so far as draughtsmen at least were concerned it was not suf- 
ficiently elastic to meet the fluctuations in supply and demand. 

The pension system seems to have little attraction for mary 
of the men, who follow the principle of working whenever 
they can at the moment obtain the highest pay and therefore do 
not contemplate remaining in the service any great length ot 
time. 

Some of these are most excellent craftsmen having had both 
training and broad experience. Very often after they have 
proved their value to us they resign when architects in private 



98 

practice, who know their abiUty, make them attractive offers. 
This also in a measure appHes to some of our men who have 
grown valuable to us because of length of service and training. 

It therefore would seem that some way should be found 
by which the Board would be free to change its schedules or 
rules so as to exempt certain men under certain conditions, lim- 
iting their term of service to a given number of weeks or months 
as might be required. 

In private work the men are employed at whatever price 
seems necessary and then dropped as soon as the job is out of 
the way. In this way the architect gets the pick of the men 
at no greater cost in the end. It may be, however, that there- 
is a certain incompatibility as between private and public em- 
ployment with the limitations set upon the latter by the Civil 
Service lav^s as well as the requirements of other bodies. T!ie 
need of some remedy to meet the situation as above outlined 
nevertheless remains. 



Stillman Appellate Printing Company 

200 William Street, 

New York City. 



